RARE BRONZE AGE MACE HEAD

2000-700 BC, Luristan culture. A cast bronze mace head with a tubular shape. The mace head is decorated with a collection of almond-shaped knobs framed above and below by three raised bands with incised decorative lines. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, maceheads spears and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual context. A macehead such as this one would have been an important symbol of rank, and have served a purpose in warfare, but also in religious contexts as maceheads were common votive offerings in shrines. Superb condition. Size: H:180mm/H:165mm (without stand); 620g. Provenance: From an old British collection of Asian Art formed in the 1990 on the UK and European art market.